Locale closing, Fricken moving, Brooki cookies popping up,and Wakefields has a refresh: the Foodie News you need to know
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Who says nothing happens in Canberra? Winter is officially here, and while the temperature is dropping, things are heating up in our hospitality scene.
From new openings to closures (spoiler: there’s more than meets the eye), the return of iconic winter events and plenty more delicious tidbits, here’s an edition of Foodie News worth sinking your teeth into.
Openings, closings, changes and moves
Locale set to close its doors
If you’re craving a pizza from Locale, you’ll want to satisfy it sooner rather than later. After 12 years, the Inner South favourite is closing its doors, announcing that the final service will be on Saturday 18 July.
But you know what they say – when one door closes, another opens. We have word that something else will be taking over the space to bring some fresh life to the area. And while we have a few guesses as to what it might be, we’re keeping what we know close to our chest. You’ll have to watch this space.
Fricken is moving to the city centre!
Fricken has announced it’s closing its Braddon store, marking the end of an era. But don’t get your feathers ruffled because they are moving to bigger premises in the Canberra Centre AND opening what they believe is Australia’s first fully gluten-free self-serve frozen yoghurt bar.
Get all the goss here.
Vietnamese coffee and street bites have landed in Braddon
There’s a new spot to add to your Braddon coffee crawl, with Monster | Phin & Street Bites bringing Vietnamese-inspired flavours, slow-dripped phin coffee and casual street food to Batman Street.
The menu leans into classic Vietnamese favourites, from bánh mì and rice vermicelli bowls to fresh rolls and coffee creations including Vietnamese iced coffee, salted coffee and phin brews. Whether you’re stopping by for your caffeine fix or settling in for a quick bite, it’s a relaxed new addition to Canberra’s ever-growing food scene.
Wakefield’s is changing things up
Forget pizza and pasta, Wakefield’s Bar & Wine is changing things up, transforming the space to create a moodier atmosphere and refocusing on wine and cocktails. A step up from a pub and more casual than The Inn, they’re fully leaning into the wine bar experience. And yes – that does mean a whole new menu.
Now serving share plates that range from Sydney rock oysters with green apple mignonette to gildas with boquerones and caperberry, prawn toast stuffed zucchini flowers, they’ve also kept things approachable with dishes like a dry-aged cheeseburger, and a fish burger.
Our ‘must-try’? The “Wakefield’s Happy Meal” features a burger, fries and a martini, and it’s just $25 during happy hour.
The aim is to be the kind of place you can drop into for one drink and accidentally spend the whole evening in. We’ll raise a glass to that.
Legendary chai and rotis make their way to Dickson
Ambi’s Chai might be closing its doors at ANU, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end for the popular chai bar. It actually means a new beginning.
Bringing its legendary chai and rotis to Dickson, the store will be relocating to Cape Street from Wednesday 1 July. Serving up a menu that brings together vibrant East African and Punjabi flavours along with Afro-Punjabi style chais, we predict it will be a popular new addition to the area.
Cafe Momo to open new venue
Cafe Momo has long been a favourite of Bruce locals, and they’ve just announced they’re opening a second location and promising the “Same food. Same love. Brand new home!” You’ll know more as soon as we do!
Easy Oar Cafe to open at Red Shed
Cafe Sosta recently closed its doors at this lakeside gem, and now it looks like Easy Oar Cafe is getting ready to make its debut. Keep an eye on their socials for the latest!
The Commons opens at UNSW
The Commons has just opened at the UNSW campus in Reid, dishing up a casual cafeteria-style atmosphere that’s perfect for a quick bite between classes.
News
Brooki Bakehouse is bringing its viral cookies to Canberra
Canberra cookie lovers, this one’s for you: Brisbane-born Brooki Bakehouse is heading to Westfield Belconnen for a four-day-only pop-up this July.
The cult cookie brand, which has built a following of more than four million across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, will be serving up its signature range of gourmet cookies for the first time in Canberra from Thursday 9 July to Sunday 12 July.
The limited-time pop-up is part of Brooki’s national roadshow, giving locals the chance to try the brand’s famous sweet treats without the trip north.
Find them on Level 3, opposite Universal Store.
The Forage is back and it’s heading to Belconnen
Canberra’s favourite street food festival is back for winter, and this year, northsiders are in for a treat.
Popping up at the Emu Bank Inlet at Belconnen from 12 pm until 7 pm on Saturday 1 August, expect all your Forage favourites – local drinks, live music and roaming entertainment. The best part? All dishes are capped at $18, and (after popular demand), the bonfire is back!
See you there?
A boutique Canberra region winery has received national recognition
That’s right – a local winery has taken its place amongst the biggest names in the industry with a prestigious national award win. Sapling Yard has taken home a trophy win for their 2025 Fiori white wine blend at the National Wine Show of Australia.
Validating the lifetime of work that founder and winemaker Carla Rodeghiero, winemaker Malcolm Burdett and consultant viticulturalist Thomas Lefebvre have put into the label, it’s a massive moment for the Bungendore winery.
You can try the trophy-winning wine for yourself at their cellar door and order a bottle via their online store here.
Meet the ACT regional winner of the 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award
Franklin local and 24-year-old Aonsasiphat Chursuwannachaia (Rose) has been crowned the ACT regional winner of the 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, securing one of just 11 coveted spots in the Grand Final of Australia’s longest-running culinary competition for young chefs.
Held at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Woden Campus on Monday 22 June, the Canberra cook-off saw seven of the region’s most promising young chefs go head-to-head. Rose – who works as Chef de Partie at Rebel Rebel Dining – impressed judges for a second consecutive year with her technically refined two-course menu featuring a glazed lamb skewer main and a citrus pavlova dessert.
Rose will now represent the ACT at the Grand Final, where she’ll compete for the prestigious title of 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year and a seven-day international culinary experience in Singapore valued at $10,000.
Who makes Canberra’s best toastie?
It’s a question for the ages, and one that Trust Club Café and You Are Here are trying to answer. On Saturday 18 July, they’re running a one-day public competition to find Canberra’s best toastie.
Canberra hospo professionals will square off against people’s champions to see who has the best toastie recipe. Find out more here.
Did you know that there’s a Canberra-founded universal digital loyalty card?
Yep, the days for mourning the free coffee you almost had (before you disintegrated the card in the wash) are over – and it’s thanks to the invention of a free universal digital coffee card created by a Canberra local.
Free to join and with no app required, STAMPR is currently in partnership with 27 cafes across Canberra. To find out how it works and how you can claim a free coffee, read the story here.
Everyone is trufflin’
Ah, truffle season. It’s without a doubt one of the most delicious experiences on Canberra’s calendar, and every year it impresses with top restaurants and producers treating foodies to their paddock-to-plate creations.
From truffle hunts to special dinners, here’s where to get your fix of Périgord truffle this winter.
Mount Majura Vineyard has made its first vermouth
And they’re having a party to celebrate. Using a mix of traditional and native Australian ingredients to create what they describe as “gorgeously aromatic expressions of classic vermouth styles,” the new project is something a little bit different from the vineyard.
But it doesn’t stop there. They’ve also created a competition to design a new and distinctive set of labels separate from the established wine brand, and have put the design brief to the second-year design students at the University of Canberra.
Go along to see the final design and winner, enjoy a gourmet grazing station and try the Vermouth for yourself on Saturday 4 July. Book your ticket here.
Events, fresh tastes & pop-ups!
We know what you should be eating at the Christmas in July Festival
The answer? Raclette, crêpes, lobster rolls, waffles, and mulled wine. Because let’s be honest – half the reason people go to Christmas in July Festival is for the food.
Here’s what should be on your eating itinerary according to the HerCanberra team. Start planning and go hungry.
Grab your partner in wine, Rutherglen in the City is back!
If exploring 17 wineries across two days sounds impossible, let us introduce you to the winter wine event making it a reality.
Rutherglen in the City is back for another year, taking over Old Parliament House to bring the rich heritage, bold flavours, and exciting new varieties of North-East Victoria’s Rutherglen Wine Region to Canberra.
Mark Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July in your calendar and find out more here.
Le Cabaret Fridays at Louis
Friday nights are looking a little different at Realm Precinct these days with the launch of Le Cabaret Fridays at Louis.
Expect a set menu from the kitchen, live jazz in the room, and two hours of bottomless drinks. In other words, dinner, and a show.
It’s on every Friday from 6 pm. Bookings are recommended and walk-ins are welcome.
Big Box Barbeque x AK’s
Big Box Barbeque is popping up at AK’s in NewActon from 6 pm this Saturday 4 July. Expect delicious Texas-inspired barbeque (brisket, pork, snags, sides, sauce and more), sides and sauces. Finger lickin’ good…
Truffle season at Leyla
It’s Truffle season! And in true Leyla fashion, they’ve made it bottomless.
Every Saturday in July, enjoy truffle-infused arancini, beef tartare, brioche tartlets, rosemary hazelnuts and truffle honey fried chicken paired with bottomless mulled wine, apple-cinnamon whisky, prosecco, chardonnay and red wine.
It’s $99pp and there are sittings at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Bookings are essential.
Will you take on Caribou’s Hot Wings Challenge?
Caribou is bringing the heat on Saturday 4 July with their Hot Wings Challenge. Helping to end Canada Day celebrations in a blaze of delicious, fiery glory, the goal of the challenge is simple: eat five hot wings of increasing heat in five minutes and endure a minute-long afterburn period.
The prize? A beer tower to share between you and three mates, your picture on their socials, and lifelong bragging rights.
You’ll have to sign up by Thursday 2 July to be in it to win it and you must be over 18 to compete. Want to go along to watch some strangers suffer? They’ll also be serving up their usual wing platter for $19 with the heat levels of our first two challenge categories: Buffalo & Leeroy’s Hot as Hell.
Register and find out more here.
Winter dining has never tasted so good
Clover Dining is launching an exclusive offer this winter, celebrating Canberra’s cold-season culture through an immersive food experience.
Designed to showcase seasonal flavours and contemporary dining, foodies will be able to order the ‘Winter Clover Collection’ menu during Winter in the City, from Wednesday 8 until Saturday 18 July. To add to the cosy vibes (and to give you the perfect excuse to linger a little longer), they’ve also brought dinner forward with dishes available to order from 4.30 pm.
More time for warm plates? We won’t say no.
On a budget? Here’s a $15 bowl that won’t break the bank
Launching Wednesday 1 July, OHNO! has a new lunch option that won’t break the bank. Available in the bar every Wednesday to Friday from 12 pm until 2 pm, they’re serving up $15 bowls in the bar for a limited time.
This week, they’re serving Katsudon, Ramen and Pho – sound perfect for these wintry days!
Say ‘Oui’ to Bastille Day at Eden Road
What better way to mark Bastille Day than a French table, shared with good company and exceptional wine? On Tuesday 14 July, Chef Christophe Grégoire and winemaker Céline Rousseau of Eden Road Wines are hosting a five-course meal that pays homage to the traditions of French cuisine.
Including dishes like slow-braised beef cheek and potato mousseline, French onion soup with cheese croutons and warm baked brie with truffle, each course will be thoughtfully matched to a premium Eden Road wine.
Priced at $160 per person. Book your seat here.
They had us at “schnapps on arrival”
This is one way to warm up this winter. The team behind Oktoberfest are bringing back their iconic Winter Schnappsfest event to the Harmonie German Club on Friday 3 July. They’ll be serving up schnapps, steaming hot Glühwein, icy cold German beers, lush wines, crisp ciders and a winter-warming German feast.
To add to the atmosphere, The Masters of Oompah will be playing a live set and MC Wes Heather keeping the energy sky-high all night long. Kicking off at 6 pm and running until late, tickets are just $18. Don the Dirndl und Lederhosen and book your spot here.
CAFÉ MAMÉ goes Italian for July
This friendly neighbourhood café has made a name for itself for its delicious – and beautiful – food, but now the team from CAFÉ MAMÉ is taking things up a level with the introduction of Italian nights.
Taking place as part of their pop-up dinner series, on Friday 10, Saturday 11, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July, CAFÉ MAMÉ will be taking diners to Italy with a full-themed à la carte menu. Promising “Nothing too serious, delicious food and drink, and fun vibes”, there are limited spots available, so you’ll want to secure your seat.
Book your table here.
Hungry? The Hyatt is the place to go this winter
For those looking for a seasonal meal, the Promenade Café at The Hyatt is hosting a Christmas in July buffet on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, complete with all the trimmings.
From Sunday 5 July until 30 August, they’re also the place to go for a premium Sunday Roast dinner. Priced at $42 per person, your ticket also includes a glass of wine!
The Fireside Festival is on its way
It’s time to start planning – the Fireside Festival is coming back. Luring people out with all things wine, this year the festival will be taking place over two delicious weeks from Friday 24 July until Sunday 9 August.
With the full program to be released soon, expect Chef long lunches, Truffle dinners, live music and more. Keep an eye on the Canberra Wines website for more information.
Cypher Brewing to host a dark beer festival
Three days of dark beer, fire, and fantasy – that’s what you can expect at Cypher Brewing Co’s Chaos Realm III: The Dark Ascension.
Gathering some of Australia’s best dark beer producers, there will be exclusive Cypher festival releases along with the Chaos Realm inside the taproom and the Goblin Kingdom in the beer garden.
Book your spot for Friday 14 August here.
Feature image of Wakefields by Andrew Ly, Nineteen Creative
